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Phoebus Fire present The Tempest.

A restaging of Shakespeare's classic to reflect modern issues of homelessness.

A tale of treachery and revenge, love, hate and forgiveness, seasoned with magic. In this cut-down version of the classic Tempest we see parallels between Shakespeare's magical island and the reality of modern-day homelessness. Shakespearian language blends with modern staging to both entertain and raise awareness.

In this modern re-staging, Naples and Milan become corporations rather than kingdoms, and Prospera is banished to the streets rather than a magical isle. She survives as an opportune herbalist and healer, using the feral Caliban and ex-junkie Ariel to help her bring up her daughter Miranda unscathed, in a secret corner of this desperate existence. Her business rival, Alonzo, is sailing with family and friends, including Prospera’s usurping sister Antonia. A terrible storm wrecks the yacht, depositing everyone, including the galley crew (Stephana the drunken sous-chef and Trinculo the pot-washer) onto Prospera’s streets. We see how Prospera takes advantage of an opportunity for Miranda and the chance of revenge on her enemies. The production retains the original Shakespearian language, in a reduced version that runs for approximately 90 minutes.